Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 52: Suspicion

“You are right.” Fedrey told Melton as a slight frown appeared on his face. “Peace really won't last long if this continues.” He said when he remembered the deep fear and horror that he saw in the face of the survivor of the West Tribe as the person knelt before a small mountain that appeared that buried the rubbles, as well as the other people of the West Tribe.

“That’s right.” Fedrich agreed when he recalled the fearful expression of the people that they saved from the Dream Weaver that appeared in the Rainbow Village.

It is innate in humans to be afraid when danger comes or after an accident occurs. And this is more apparent with the existence of the other races that poses a great threat to their safety and can break the peace that lasted for five hundred years.

“If there will be more incidents like this, everyone will be alarmed and might think of extreme scenarios.” Melton sighed.

“And it’s only recently these all happened…” Fedrey muttered and glanced at Leui.

Leui felt helpless when he saw Fedrey’s gaze on him. Why are you looking at me? I didn’t do anything wrong! I am innocent! Although he thought this and felt wronged, he had to endure.

Fedrey retracted his gaze when he saw Leui’s face darkened. Leui’s recent arrival in the human kingdom is one of the reasons why he suspects him. Him living in the Other Shore, and his friendly relationship with the other races, strengthens his suspicion.

There is something strange with Leui. Fedrich trusts his own instinct, and so Fedrey. His instinct tells him that there is something wrong with Leui.

…

There is nothing to talk after that and Leui was sent back by Melton before Melton returned to Fedrey’s residence. As Leui gazed at the disappearing carriage, Leui felt that he had forgotten something.

“Leui!” Gie called when he heard a carriage stopped outside and saw Leui got off the carriage. He immediately went outside. “Huh? What’s wrong with you?” he asked when he saw his pensive expression after he approached him.

“Nothing. It’s just…” Leui answered.

“Leui! How is it? What does the castle look like inside?” Mhir suddenly popped up and excitedly asked. “What does the king look like?” she added.

“AH!” Leui exclaimed after he heard Mhir’s question. “That’s right! I forgot to go to the castle!” he said.

“Huh? Didn’t you go there?” Gie asked, feeling puzzled. Melton fetched Leui, so why did Leui say he forgot to go to the castle? He thought. “Did you go somewhere else?” he asked when he realized it.

“Yes. In the residence of the head of the knights.” Leui answered.

“Whoa! The head of the knights… that’s cool!” Mhir exclaimed.

But, Gie has other concerns. “Why did you go there? Aren’t you going to the castle to meet the king?” he asked.

A troubled expression appeared on Leui’s face but he immediately hid it. He turned to Mhir and smiled. “Mhir. I’m hungry. We only ate snacks in the residence of the head of the knights. Can you buy me some bread?” he asked as he gave her some money. “You can also buy some for yours and Gie’s.” he added.

Talking about food, Mhir’s attention was immediately diverted. “Okay!” she said and immediately left, looking very excited.

“So? There is a problem?” Gie asked. It didn’t escape his eyes earlier when Leui’s expression changed. And he even had Mhir leave… “Is it related to the other races?” he added. Leui has lived with the other races for five years. Surely, the head of the knight…? “Is he suspecting you of colluding with the other races?” he asked in a low voice.

Leui turned to Gie and the smile on his face disappeared. “Yes.” He answered. As expected of Gie, he is very sharp.

Gie heavily sighed and then looked around. “Let’s talk inside.” He said.

“Yes.” Leui nodded and followed him.

…

“… you don’t look surprised?” Leui spoke when he saw Gie’s expression didn’t change after he told him everything that happened in Fedrey’s residence.

“I guessed.” Gie answered.

“’guessed’?” Leui muttered.

“Think about it.” Gie spoke. “Although your arrival in the human kingdom with Mhir is just a coincidence with the recent incidents that happened, but your history, which is living in the Other Shore, and for five years, added with you who is proficient in talking with the other races, and even have a friendly relation with them, but all these outweighs the coincidence, even if the truth is that it is really just a coincidence, your arrival here.” he explained.

Leui’s expression became distressed. “I just want to see the human kingdom, but then got suspected.” He bitterly smiled.

Gie knows that Leui is really innocent so he patted his shoulder to comfort him. “Don’t worry. Didn’t they let you go? It must mean that they trust you now.” He told him. “There is also Fedrich and Melton. They will vouch for you. The head of the knights will definitely realize that you are innocent and then his suspicion will be cleared.” He said.

Leui smiled, feeling grateful for Gie. Although he has Mhir, but that girl has no tact. Fortunately, he met Gie. “Gie.” He called after some time when he finally calmed down. “I really wonder how I ended up on the Other Shore. Do you have any idea why I ended up there or went there?” he asked.

Gie heard his question and was surprised. Then, the smile on his face faded.

Leui thought Gie misunderstood so he immediately spoke. “It’s not I am suspecting you. I am just really puzzled why I was there. I can’t think of any reason to go there…” he explained.

“I don’t know.” Gie spoke as he looked at Leui’s face. “I am also surprised why you were there or why you went there. But – “ he said as his voice became low. “ – you have always been missing.” He told him.

“Huh?” Leui muttered as he stared at Gie, puzzled. What does he mean by ‘always been missing’? He thought.

It’s as if Gie has read his thoughts, or that Gie has expected for him to think about this. “You always disappear.” He answered.

“… ‘always disappear’?” Leui muttered.

Gie nodded as he picked up his cup and sipped his drink. “I don’t know how, but sometimes you just suddenly disappear.” He said.

Leui’s eyes widened. “But, I am just an ordinary person!” he said. “I have no supernatural powers!” he told him.

Gie stared at him for so long that Leui thought Gie was thinking otherwise. But, Gie finally retracted his gaze.

“But, I also don’t know how it happens.” Gie said. “One moment we were talking and then the next moment you are gone when I turn.” He told him.

Leui’s mouth was agape as he looked at Gie. He looks like he wanted to say something, but he doesn’t know what to say. In the end, he closed his mouth and chose to be silent. Gie also knows Leui feels shocked by what he heard, so he didn’t say anything.

Silence fell and only the noises outside could be heard. After some time, Leui spoke. “Is there something else?” he asked. Then, he made a pause as if carefully selecting his words. In the end, he pressed his lips tight as if preparing himself. “Is there anything else… that is… uhm… that I… am behaving… weirdly?” he asked. His voice was so small when he spoke the last word. His face flushed in embarrassment and he covered his face with both hands.

Gie’s eyes widened and he stared at him for a long time, stunned. He didn’t think Leui would accept this matter so fast. “That’s… uhm…” he stammered. “Yes. There is.” He heaved a sigh.

Leui felt his heart was collapsing. “So, I am weird!” he sighed in lament.

Gie looked at Leui. Even though they are friends, and he is a doctor, as a person, he didn’t laugh at Leui. Gie knows, even though he has never felt it, how it is for some people who are labeled as ‘weird’. They would feel inferior. If it is not the others, then it would be them who would alienate themselves from the others to avoid the other people’s prying gazes that sometimes are mixed with mockery and schadenfreude.

“It isn’t in a bad way.” He spoke.

Leui removed his hands from his face and then looked at Gie.

“For me, it isn’t bad.” Gie spoke as he smiled at Leui. “You are already fine as a person for me. Or else, why would I be your friend?” he asked.

“Gie…” Leui smiled. “Thank you.” He spoke.

Gie nodded. “As for the other weird thing about you…” he said as he stared at Leui.

Leui gulped in nervousness, waiting for Gie to continue.

“You… grew your hair very, very long one time.” Gie spoke. “And your temperament has changed.” He told him.